Rachel asked:


I have been in a debt management program with a local credit counseling service for about 8 months. My parents have offered to co-sign a loan so I can pay off the cards. The loan with the bank is a lower interest rate than the cards and will pay them off faster with a lower payment each month. Should I pay the cards directly or go through the credit counseling service? Which is better for my credit score?

MiC asked:


I have been in a debt management program with a local credit counseling service for about 8 months. My parents have offered to co-sign a loan so I can pay off the cards. The loan with the bank is a lower interest rate than the cards and will pay them off faster with a lower payment each month. Should I pay the cards directly or go through the credit counseling service? Which is better for my credit score?

T asked:


Charles P Kindelberger mentions in Manias, Panics and Crashes that large-scale conversions of public debt occurred in 1822, 1824, and 1888. He also says interest rate declines were associated with the public debt conversion. Which countries have converted public debt and what did the creditors get in return? Is it correct to assume the debtor’s currency is devalued and the government nationalizes private property to do so?